South African football team’s skipper Steven Pienaar has finally decided to quite the international football with an immediate effect and surprised everybody with his sudden decision to leave international soccer community in South Africa. The news of his retirement surfaced the earth through South African coach Gordon Igesund on Tuesday when he announced Bafana’s squad for next week’s friendly series with Poland and Kenya. Actually, his decision to such a departure has long been expected on the basis of rumors that he would join Everton Football club and play in English Premium League. Gordon told in his statement to reporters that he received a phone call from Steven on Monday night when he told him about his immediate retirement. For now, Bongani Khumalo will be the new captain of South African football team as told by Igesund, he further admitted that Steven would never play for South Africa again based on his current behaviors.
Pienaar has had a wonderful career for South Africa where he participated in two world cups since his first appearance in 2002. Last month, when he was out coz of his injuries against Brazil, his retirement was expected coz he then made himself available for Everton just few days after. This is not the first time a South African player has left his international career for the sake of his professional commitments, as we have seen many examples in the past, like Benni McCarthy, Shaun Bartlett, Mark Fish, and many more.
According to recent FIFA rankings, South Africa has dropped two positions down to secure 76th rank. This is the first time in 2012 when it loses its ranking position. The drop in ranking is coz of its defeat to Brazil last month which was won by hosts by 1-0 in Sao Paulo. For all his critics who criticized his decision on a rational basis, Pienaar himself issued a statement and said,
“I’m proud to have played for and captained my country. For that I thank you.”
“After having given more than 10 years’ service to the national team, I am now at a stage where physically I am struggling to balance the demands of playing in England with the number of games required by South Africa.
“I am proud to have represented and captained my country.”
“There is a lot of very good young talent coming through and perhaps it is time for them to be given an opportunity. I wish the coaching staff and the players all the very best for the fu